Mechanic gets £400k from Police

31st March 2009
 
A mechanic who cut his fingers whilst servicing a police vehicle in September 2002 was awarded £400,000 in compensation. 
 
Alexander Darg was 39 when the accident took place at Limehouse Station in Kent. The mechanic cut himself on a knife that was lodged beside the driver’s seat of the police car and severely cut his index finger and middle finger. As a result of the injury, the mechanic had considerable time off work and developed a syndrome called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). In 2004 he gave up work after the condition had spread from his left hand (the original hand that was injured) to his right hand and even his feet. 
 
When the accident took place he was a valued and well paid member of the mobile technician company Venson Group, but the injury put a halt to his career. The £400,000 in damages wasn’t the full amount of £1million that Darg was originally claiming, but it was enough to cover all lost past and future earnings and included £32,500 for pain and suffering caused. 
 
Although Darg’s quality of life was affected by the accident and he is unlikely to return to full employment, he can still use a computer and enjoy his shooting hobby.

BBC NEWS, Mechanic gets £400k for cut hand